Anomalous animal behaviour prior to major earthquakes has been repeatedly reported in the past:
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/animal_eqs.php
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/22dc/82b48f3895790e0312aad71bfc169cfd4b6c.pdf
https://faculty.washington.edu/tswanson/ESS/315/Student%20PP%20Presentations/animalprediction.pdf
For some time it has been believed that micro-seismicity preceding larger earthquakes could induce increased levels of Radon gas in the earth/soil/groundwater:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1140%2Fepjst%2Fe2015-02395-9
The built-up of tension in rock is likely to induce fracturing/cracking which may release gas or change groundwater chemistry.
The jury still seems to be out on whether the reported unusual animal behaviour did actually occur and whether it was in any way related to the seismicity. Certainly there have occurred numerous larger earthquakes without any observed changes in animal behaviour. Reliable earthquake precursor? No.
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